ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said it is time for this southern city to come up with an ordinance on green architecture.
Treñas, who led yesterday’s multi stakeholders’ forum entitled “Towards A Greener Footprint for Iloilo City” at SM City-Iloilo’s Cinema 3, said the forum is timely and in line with his vision to make Iloilo City more livable, that is to balance urban development with sustainability and environmental stewardship.
One way to achieve this is through having green architecture.
“Para ma-encourage ang mga buildings sa syudad nga magbutang sang mga green feature sa ila nga mga developments like ang pag-incorporate sang mga rain water harvesting,” Treñas said.
Moreover, Treñas said the city is eyeing another ordinance that would give incentives or discounts on real property taxes for residential houses that will install solar panels.
These and other several remarkable environmental initiatives aim to create a greener and sustainable living environment for the city residents.
“We are really bent on making Iloilo a model for green cities in the country,” he added.
During the forum, the city mayor highlighted the city’s green projects such as the waste-to-energy and electronic transport system in partnership with the private sector; massive tree planting in plazas, floodways, roads, and other open spaces; and Tree Park Network Project, among many others.
The forum was initiated by the city government in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), SM City Iloilo, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), and other stakeholders
It was attended by architects, commercial and residential developers, environmental planners, landscape architects, interior designers, engineers, developers, contractors, local government offices, national government agencies, and architecture students.
“Syado ni ka importante sang forum kay isa sa gina-atubang ta subong amo ang climate change. Ang green architecture amo ni makabulig sa aton hagan-hagan sang epekto sang climate change. Nalipay gid ko kay nag-partner ang UAP, SM, DENR sa Iloilo City Government, nakahiwat kita sang manami nga forum. We were able to get good speakers, ang mga architecture students naton madamo man sang natun an,” said Treñas.
DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga served as the keynote speaker during the forum./PN
